Chicken, herbs and lemon are a wonderful trinity of taste, especially when you throw garlic into the mix! I think you are really going to love this method of preparation I am sharing today!
Not only are the flavours great, but the preparation is dead simple, and if you line your baking sheet with foil, no clean up of a dirty roasting pan either!
Today I have chosen to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, which also adds to the succulence and flavours of the end result.
You could certainly use skinless and boneless, but the cook time would need to be cut down considerably. I would say no longer than 20 minutes.
You create a basic and simple marinade using fresh lemon juice, fresh herbs and some light olive oil By that I mean light in colour, not extra virgin.
You can use EVOO if you want of course, but really I find it a waste to use a good one in cooking when it is better suited to and saved for something like a salad where you can really appreciate its finer qualities.
I have used fresh thyme and rosemary from the garden. You can use any combination of fresh herbs which you enjoy.
Thyme and rosemary go particularly well with garlic and lemon. And chicken for that matter!
The chicken pieces are seasoned and marinated in the marinade for at least an hour and up to four hours.
Obviously the longer you let it sit the more the marinade flavours will penetrate the meat. You don't want to marinade it for any less than an hour.
After that you put the chicken pieces (I include the marinade) skin side up on a baking sheet and scatter some bruised cloves of garlic in between them . . .
Along with a quartered lemon. The lemon roasts along side and imparts more flavour as does the garlic.
This really is lovely . . . tender, juicy, delicious . . .
I served my husband's with a Roasted New Potato Salad that I had created for another site that I write for, along with some vegetables.
Mine I served with some mashed swede and carrot, and cooked cabbage. I also squeezed the juice from the roasted lemons over top.
Roasting takes away from the harshness of the lemon flesh, it really mellows out and it is truly delicious squeezed over top . . .
My husband was happy. I was happy. Goals were kept.
We were both in "Finger Lickin' Chicken" Heaven!
Yield: 2
Lemon & Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs
Herb infused marinated chicken thighs that you can either cook in the oven or on the BBQ. Deliciously simple!
ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thigh portions
- 2 lemons
- 1 TBS light olive oil
- 1 TBS fresh thyme leaves
- 1 TBS fresh rosemary leaves
- coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 6 to 8 cloves of garlic, bruised and bashed
instructions:
How to cook Lemon & Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bowl. Add the salt and pepper, olive oil and herbs. Put the chicken thighs into the bowl, turning them to coat them well with the marinade. Cover and marinate for at one hour or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with foil. Dump the chicken pieces, skin side up, onto the baking tray. Scatter the garlic between them. Quarter the remaining lemon and place it on the baking tray with the chicken.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is tender, cooked through, and golden brown. The juices should run clear. Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve with a salad and your favourite vegetables. I like to squeeze the roasted lemons over top for additional flavour. Delicious!
To cook the swede/carrot, I just boiled them together until tender, and then I mashed them up. For the cabbage I melted a small knob of butter in a skillet and cooked it over a moderate heat, covered, adding a ladle full of the water from the cooking swede/carrot so that it didn't burn.
Oh boy was this ever good! (Swede is what the British call Rutabaga.)
Enjoy!
This made my mouth water lol, yummy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie. I hope you will try it! xoxo
DeleteI am sure it's delicious..amy meals in France were like this,and most are all bone in skin on..Flavor flavor.
ReplyDeleteOH yes, the skin and bone add so much flavour and help to keep the meat moist. You don't have to eat the skin if you don't want to, but oh my, its so tasty! xoxo
DeleteThis looks delicious. As you may have guessed from other comments, I adore just about anything with lemon and that includes chicken. And it's such a good time for herbs right now. My rosemary and thyme are having a heyday this summer! This one is definitely a deeper and looks easy to double (because leftovers are wonderful!)
ReplyDeleteOur herb garden is in full swing Jeani! Yes, you can very easily double it or even triple it! Leftovers are always nice, especially on busy days! xoxo
DeleteOh, yes, nothing better than leftovers. In fact, I plan for leftovers. I'll be making this recipe very soon. To me, with the lemon, it looks kind of summery. Hugs, Elaine
ReplyDeleteIts very delicious and summer Elaine! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! xoxo
DeleteWell now, I was planning on Nigel Slaters chicken in yoghurt and saffron for my solo meal on Tuesday but I have changed my mind! Thank you Marie.
ReplyDeleteOh you won't be sorry Toffeeapple. This is gorgeous. Do squeeze the roasted lemon over the chicken when you go to eat it. YUMMO! xoxo
DeleteOh my word - I am so glad that I tried this - it is fabulous, thank you Marie!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that you made this and enjoyed it Toffeeapple! Thanks so much for coming back to share your experience! xoxo
Delete